Abstract: A kit of dental sub-kits for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. The kit includes a tray having an interior recess configured to removably receive therein a plurality of individual dental sub-kits. Each sub-kit may have an associated color, number, letter, or other marking to distinguish it from at least one other sub-kit within the kit. The color or marking associated with each sub-kit identifies the size of components contained within the sub-kit. Each sub-kit includes a finishing drill and one or more permanent dental posts. Each sub-kit may optionally include a starter drill and/or a dental post analog. Each sub-kit and its contents may be disposable or autoclavable.

Abstract: Dental bleaching methods and kits employ a dental bleaching composition, a protective composition and a barrier layer. The dental bleaching composition is positioned so as to contact a person's tooth surfaces. The protective composition is positioned so as to shield a person's gingival tissue from the bleaching composition during tooth bleaching. The barrier layer protects at least the bleaching composition from saliva and/or mechanical forces during tooth bleaching. The dental bleaching composition and protective composition can be in the form of a sticky and viscous gel. The protective composition may alternatively be a flexible polymerizable material. The barrier layer may be a substantially flat sheet, strip or patch, or it may comprise a dental tray.

Abstract: A syringe delivery system for dispensing a highly viscous material through a syringe delivery opening. The system includes a syringe barrel having a delivery opening, a plunger including a threaded shaft that threadably engages the syringe barrel for selectively dispensing a viscous material through the delivery opening, and a plunger gripping member in gripping communication with the plunger that includes means for sealing the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to prevent contamination by foreign matter. According to one embodiment, a sheath may be included that covers the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to hide the plunger beneath the sheath. The sheath provides a sealed environment for the threaded shaft so as to prevent entrance or contamination by foreign matter.

Abstract: A dental treatment system used to treat (e.g., bleach) a person's teeth. The inventive system includes an inner dental treatment tray having a tray configuration so as to fit over at least a portion of a person's upper or lower dental arch. The inner dental treatment tray is sufficiently thin and flexible so as to at least partially conform to a person's teeth without heating when used in combination with a dental treatment and/or adhesive composition. The dental treatment system includes an outer support tray positioned adjacent to the inner dental treatment tray so as to maintain the inner dental treatment tray in the tray configuration prior to placement of the inner dental treatment tray over the person's teeth. The dental treatment system also includes temporary adhesion means (e.g., a weak adhesive) for maintaining the outer support tray adjacent to the inner dental treatment tray prior to and during placement of the inner dental treatment tray over the person's teeth.

Abstract: A dental curing light including an elongate wand having a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of LEDs disposed at or near a distal end of the elongate wand and a printed circuit board for mounting the plurality of LEDs. The LEDs include a main through mount LED and a plurality of surface mount LEDs positioned around the main through mount LED. The main LED is through mounted relative to the printed circuit board such that the power connections of the main through mount LED are made through a hole or holes in the printed circuit board. The power connections of the main through mount LED are made on an opposite surface of the printed circuit board relative to the “top” surface to which the surface mount LEDs are mounted.

Abstract: Valve syringes of the invention include a syringe barrel and an applicator valve adapted to rotate relative to the barrel between closed and open positions. In the open position, one or more slots in the applicator valve align with one or more holes in a discharge end of the syringe barrel in order to allow fluid material to flow therethrough. In a closed position, the contact surface of the applicator valve occludes the holes in the barrel in order to seal them and prevent flow of fluid material therethrough. The valve syringe may include structure that increases the sealing engagement between the syringe barrel and applicator valve when rotated toward at least one of the open or closed positions. The applicator valve may include an applicator tip that is either integrally or detachably connected to the applicator valve. The valve syringe may also include a plunger adapted to expel fluid material contained in the syringe barrel through the discharge end and into the applicator valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling bleeding during dental procedures using a medicament delivery system having a medicament under pressure and a hollow cannula having a fiber coated distal delivery end through which the medicament is dispensed, includes: (i) applying under hydraulic pressure a medicament to a desired area of tissue using the medicament delivery system so as to infuse medicament into exposed capillaries; and (ii) rubbing the tissue with the medicament delivery system.

Abstract: A dental kit for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. The dental kit includes a finishing drill, a plurality of permanent dental posts, a dental post analog, and optionally, a starter drill. The kit also includes a container having an interior, means for suspending the kit components within the container, and a removable lid.

Abstract: A dental device configured for curing light-curable compounds includes an extension portion conforming along a first axis, and a handle portion conforming along an intersecting axis, the axes forming an obtuse angle. An LED light source is disposed on the extension portion, and faces away from the obtuse angle, though rotatable embodiments allow for other configurations. The LED light source may include transilluminating lenses for filtering out undesired radiant energy. The dental device may include finger controls for controlling the emission of light from the LED light source of the dental device. A remote power supply connected with the dental device provides power to the dental device without increasing the size or weight of the dental device.

Abstract: Dental bleaching devices in the shape of a dental tray, strip or patch include a barrier layer, a dental bleaching composition, and a protective adhesive composition that protects a person's gums from the dental bleaching composition during use. The barrier layer protects the bleaching and protective adhesive compositions from saliva or moisture during use. The dental bleaching composition is positioned so as to contact a person's tooth surfaces when the bleaching device is in use. The protective adhesive composition is positioned so as to shield a person's gums from the bleaching composition when the bleaching device is in use. The dental bleaching composition and protective adhesive composition can be in the form of a gel or they may be substantially solid. They preferably include a tissue adhesion agent comprising a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Substantially solid dental bleaching or treatment compositions in the form of an insert for placement within a dental tray. The compositions comprise a substantially solid dental bleaching composition that has increased adhesiveness to teeth when moistened with saliva or water. The inserts are horseshoe shaped and may be either flat or contoured. The substantially solid dental bleaching composition becomes more adhesive when moistened with saliva or water, yet remains intact and coherent after the dental bleaching composition is placed within a dental tray and over a person's teeth during bleaching (or other treatment).

Abstract: Gingival retraction cords are constructed from two or more strands that are interlocked to form a knitted, braided, woven, or twisted retraction cord. At least one strand is made from an absorbent material and another strand is made from a degradation-resistant material, such as nylon, polyester, fiberglass, or metal. The absorbent strands are impregnated with an active agent. The degradation-resistant strands resist degradation by the active agent. Alternatively, one or more strands are used to make the knit, weave, or braid and each strand is made from two or more different fibers. For example, one or more absorbent fibers and one or more synthetic fibers can be twisted to make a blended strand. The blended strands can be used to knit, braid, or weave a retraction cord. Because the degradation-resistant strands are part of the strand pattern, the retraction cords can be made sturdier without adversely affecting the cord's inherent deformation properties.

Abstract: A light curing dental device is configured for curing light-curable compounds and includes a rechargeable power supply. The light curing device is configured to be received by and recharged by a recharging docking station that is connected with a dental hand piece holder tray. The recharging docking station may take the form of a dental hand piece holder. Some light curing devices can be recharged by electrical contact when they are placed within a recharging docking station. Some other light curing devices are water-tight and do not have exposed electrical contacts. These other light curing devices can be recharged by the recharging docking station through induction.

Abstract: A dental treatment tray used to provide a desired treatment is injection molded from a composition that includes at least one thermoplastic resin and at least plasticizer. The plasticized thermoplastic resin permits the dental treatment tray to be injection molded even while having a wall thickness less than about 0.015 inch. The plasticizer increases the melt flow index of the thermoplastic resin while in a molten state, which facilitates complete filling of the mold cavity by the thermoplastic resin. The plasticizer also softens the thermoplastic polymer while in a solidified state in order to yield a dental tray that is even more flexible and comfortable for the user to wear.

Abstract: A gingival retraction cord is constructed from two or more strands that are formed into a plurality of interlocking loops so as to form a knitted retraction cord. At least one strand is made from an absorbent material and another strand is made from a degradation-resistant material such as nylon or polyester. The absorbent strands are impregnated with a hemostatic agent. The degradation-resistant strands resist degradation by the hemostatic agent. Because the strands are part of the knit, the retraction cord is compressible and resilient in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions. Alternatively, one or more strands are used to make the knit and each strand is made from two or more different fibers. For example, one or more absorbent fibers and one or more synthetic fibers can be twisted to make a blended strand. The blended strands can then be used to knit a retraction cord.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental bracket and associated kit used to attach a medicament-releasing pellet on a tooth. The kit is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or other medicament over a desired period of time. The medicament release kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet and a dental bracket. The bracket comprises a base and a socket configured to receive and retain the pellet at least partially therein. The device may be installed by a dental practitioner and remain attached to a patient's tooth for a few months or up to 20 years. The medicament-releasing pellet, designed to slowly release small quantities of fluoride or another medicament, may be replaced, for example, every 6 months to 2 years. Replacement of the medicament-releasing pellet may be performed at home or at a dentist's office.

Abstract: A tray-shaped dental treatment device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a front side wall and a bottom wall, and a dental treatment composition. In addition, the tray-shaped dental treatment device includes at least one of the following anatomical features to enhance the fit of the device: (1) the bottom wall includes a plurality of cuts positioned to help the bottom wall better conform to abrupt changes in the diameters of a person's teeth where the bicuspids and canines meet, or (2) the bottom wall includes at least one V-shaped or U-shaped indentation configured to be inserted into the depression typically found along the top surfaces of a person's molars, or (3) the front side wall and bottom wall include radii of curvature that account for typical flaring of a patient's incisors.

Abstract: A dental delivery tool sized and configured to deliver a dental composition into a dental preparation includes: (A) a hollow body configured to deliver a dental composition therefrom; and (B) a plurality of fibers coupled to at least a portion of the hollow body. A portion of the fibers extend a length “L” distally beyond the rim of the hollow body. A portion of the fibers are coupled along the wall a distance “D” proximally with respect to the rim. The distance “D” is at least about two and one half times greater than the length “L”. Employing the tool, which may be a delivery tip, for example, the interior walls of a dental preparation may be conveniently brushed or cleaned during a procedure in which a dental composition is delivered using the dental delivery tool.